Disapointed

[ut1205]

On recommendations from this forum I purchased a Diamond Supra 56i ISA modem. It will only connect at 28.8. The $9.00 pctel winmodem it replaced would be consistent at 43 to 45bps. The Diamond is noticeably slower. Can you give me any help or do I need to go back to my Win Modem?

[Xayd]

Try this string...

S202=32S95=1

[ut1205]

Thanks alot for the help. I inserted the string but got the same results. I tested the two modems by going to CNet and downloading large files. The Supra setteled down at around 3.3 kbps. I reinstalled the PCTel win modem and downloaded the same file. It sustaned 4.6 kbps during the download (time required much less). I have it networked and the Win modem will maintain around 4.0 kbps with two downloads going at the same time. I have an Actiontec Serial Call wating modem installed on another computer here and get about the same results as the Supra. I don't think that the hardware modems are as great as some people think they are. I bought it to use with Linux so I will reserve it for that task.

[glc]

Run modem diagnostics (control panel, modems, diagnostics, highlight the modem, more info) and post the ATI responses. Most of the cheap Supras you find online are older single mode models and may have been shipped with the K56 Flex firmware instead of the V.90 firmware. If this is the case, a firmware upgrade is downloadable and easy to do. With proper firmware a 56k Supra Express of ANY vintage will blow that PCTel into the weeds. The ATI responses will tell us the model and the firmware revision.

[morriswindgate]

This site was posted by someone else last night, but it has a lot of free tests for your computer that can help your problem.

http://www.pcpitstop.com./

[glc]

Morris - we have to get it hooking up at V.90 first.......it's at V.34.

[morriswindgate]

This might help:

http://itvweb.diamondmm.com/vanweb_2...=Implicit%20Or

Updated Drivers are here

http://www.diamondmm.com/default.asp...praExpress_56i

[ut1205]

I've already replaced the modem with my Win Modem and haven't had a chance to change it out again. I purchased it from Softwareandstuff.com and according to the specs there it is a V 90. Check out this site and let me know what you think. Thanks

[glc]

If you can put it in and give me the ATI responses I can tell you what you have and what you need to do.

[azscary]

Try setting the init string to AT+MS=V34 to disable v.90. If it works, then you may have a problem with line noise. Keep in mind that the speed that Windows gives you is probably a lie. Judge by the way the downloads behave not the numbers on the connection icon. Here is some more info on init strings.

SUBJECT: 56k Modem Init Strings

Modem Initialization Strings for 56k Modems

---------------------------------
A. Try one of these generic init strings for 56k:

AT&F
AT&F1
AT&F&C1&D2
AT&F1&C1&D2

DISABLE V.90: S32=66
DISABLE X2: S32=34
DISABLE BOTH V.90 and X2: S32=98

---------------------------------
B. x2 based modem initialization strings:

Keep x2 AT&F2
AT&F&C1&D2&K3
AT S10=30 S11=45 S9=2

Disable X2 AT&F1 S32=34S15=128

Alabama Init-Disables X2 AT&F1&KO&10S33=32S15=128S27=64S32=34

Gridnet Init-Disables X2 AT&F S32=34 &N16&U8 S15.7=1 S32.5=1

---------------------------------
C. k56Flex based modem initialization strings

AT&F+MS=56
AT&F+MS=56S202=32
AT&F1+MS=56
AT&F1+MS=56S202=32

Disable standard KFlex AT+MS=11,0,19200,33600
(This string is suggested by AT+MS=11,0,9600,33600
the manual but seldom works.) AT+MS=11,0,300,33600

Disable Lucent Based KFlex S38=0

---------------------------------
D. Winmodem based modem initialization strings

AT&F&K0&M0

Strings for helping to stay connected: S12=0 (may cause serious
disconnect problems)
S10=15
S10=30

---------------------------------
E. List of 56k strings by modem manufacturer

3Com / US Robotics AT&F1&B1&D2&H1&I0&K1&M4S7=60
------------------
Works very well
with most USR modems AT&F1

U.S. Robotics Courier AT&F1S58=0S59=0S60=0S61=0S69=0S70=0#CID=0&U0&N0

56k X2-Dr. Will's Magic String AT &F X4 S28=0

56k X2-to get rid of MNP4, MNP5 AT &F X4 S15=8 S27=32

56k X2 AT &F

56k X2-to get rid of V.42REJ AT &F X4 S15=0 S28=0

Action Tech 56k X2 ?-AT /N3 "H3 %E1 -J0
------------------
Banksia AT&FS95=0W0
-------
Best Data
---------
56K X2 for MAC-cts/rts/dtr AT&F&C1&D2L3s95=3S11=55

Compaq Presario
---------------
33.6 (56k upgradeable) AT &F S12=0

56KFlex modem AT N1 W1 X4 &B1 &C1 &D2 &K3 &Q5 &S0=0 \J0 \N3 \Q3 %C1
S0=0 S37=0

56KFlex modem AT &F

Diamond Multimedia Supra
------------------------
Supra AT&F2W2

Dynalink AT&F&C1&D2

Emac
----
ESS Technologies 56k X2 AT &F
AT &F1
AT &F0 S12=0

Gateway Telepath
----------------
Telepath X2 AT &H1 &B1 &R2 &A3 &M4 (gateway's suggested default)
AT &F1 &C1 &D2 &K0 S12=0
AT Z=25
AT &F S0=0=0 E1 Q0 V1 X4 &A1 &B1 &C1 &D2 &H1 &K1 &R2
AT &F &B1

Global Village
--------------
PowerPort K56flex AT&F1

TelePort for K56flex AT&F1

TelePort for x2 AT&F1

Hayes Accura
------------
K56 Flex AT &F &C1 &D2 S95=44

Lucent Tech
-----------
56k Flex AT &F S38=0
AT &F S38=0 S12=0

56k Flex Winmodem AT &F S38=0 S12=0

Motorola ModemSURFR
-------------------
ModemSURFR and AT&F&C1&D2\K3
VoiceSURFR AT&F&C1&D2&K3\V1\N3L1S0=0

NewCom
------
es-x2: AT&F&C1&D2+MS=V34B,1,300,0

PCtel AT&F&C1&D2&K3W1
-----

Rockwell
--------
56k v.90 AT&FW2+MS=12,1,34667,56000

Supra Express
-------------
56k Flex AT +MS=11,0,9600,33600

56k v.90 - shotgun ready for two AT S32=66 +MS=11,0,9600,33600
lines

Viking PCMCIA (Rockwell)
------
56k v.90 AT&FW2+MS=12,1,34667,56000

Zoom
----
56k Flex AT +MS=11,0,9600,33600

-----------------------------------------------------------

Article Last Update - 12/29/00

[azscary]

Here is a Tech doc addressing modem speeds you might find useful. Let me know if anything I am sending you is helping.

SUBJECT: Modems: Factors Affecting Speed of 56k Connections

Factors Affecting Speed of 56k Connections

--------------------------------------

There are a number of factors which could be preventing you from getting
higher connection speeds. We will try and cover the most frequently
encountered problems and what you may be able to do to help.

Let's just go over a few of the more obvious reasons why 56K wouldn't be
working.

--------------------------------------
A. Your modem doesn't support either the X2 or V90 protocols. Instead it
supports KFlex.

In this situation, you would need to obtain a V90 upgrade from your
manufacturer. If you are not sure your modem supports V90, this is the
first thing to check. See the links for Drivers/Firmware listed below.

--------------------------------------
B. If your office is on a PBX, you may have problems getting speeds higher
than 28.8 .

Many offices use PBX telephone systems, a sort of electronic receptionist
and switchboard. If your office telephone has its own extension, or if you
must dial a 9 to get an outside line, you are probably on a PBX. PBXs are
also common in hotels. It's likely that most PBX systems will prevent 56K
modems from working by introducing an additional analog-digital conversion.
See below for more information on analog-digital conversions. If you live
in an apartment complex similiar hardware may prevent 56k connections.

--------------------------------------
C. The connection from the phone line to the modem may be too poor for 56
to work.

This is referring to anything else which may be in the line between the
modem and the wall jack. Examples of items you should remove while
troubleshooting: a splitter at the wall jack, a surge protector that the
line goes through, or a fax machine. The modem should be supplied a signal
by a phone cord no greater than 8-10' long, running straight from the modem
directly into the wall jack with nothing else coming between. It is ok to
plug in other devices (a telephone, fax) into the "Phone" jack on the modem.

--------------------------------------
D. Drivers/Firmware

Having made sure none of the above is the problem, the next thing to cover
would be the modem driver & firmware issues. Some ISP’s use 3Com modems
which use the USR chipset, supporting both X2 and V90. Naturally you should
have the least difficulty connecting with V90 if you have a
3Com/USR modem. Other vendors rely on modems that use other chipsets. The
other most common chipset manufacturers are Rockwell, Lucent Technology,
Cirrus Logic, and PCTel. While V90 is the standard for 56K connections, all
vendors have not made the same effort to put out quality drivers and
firmware for their modems to make V90 a real working standard. So as a
general rule, if your modem already supports V90 and it is still not
connecting at 56K speeds, it is a good idea to check for upgraded drivers
and firmware. With V90 being such a new technology, some of the most recent
firmware updates have made great improvements. Here's a few pages on which you will find links to most all modem
vendors firmware and drivers.

http://www.56k.com/links/Firmware_Updates/
http://www.56k.com/links/V90_Upgrades/
http://www.modemhelp.com/links/56K/V90_Upgrades/
http://www.winfiles.com/drivers/modems.html

--------------------------------------
E. Line Quality

Ok, so you've covered all the obvious reasons, your modem is V90 ready and
has the latest and greatest modem software from the manufacturer and you
STILL are not getting 56K. What to check next? Now we at the point where we
you will need to look into the quality of the phone line supplying the
signal to the modem. Does your line support 56K connection speeds? There a
few ways to check this, none of which are 100% accurate.

USR has setup a web page with instructions on how to run a line test. You
can find it here.

http://www.3com.com/56k/need4_56k/linetest.html

This test has one major limitation. It is using a long distance telephone
call to test line quality for what will be a local call when you are
dialing with your modem.

Depending on what kind of modem chipset you have, there are a couple of web
pages you can go to that have information on how to judge noise on the
local telephone circuits.

For USR and Rockwell chipset modems
http://help.ibm.net/helplib/tlcoinfo.html

For PCI LT WinModems
http://www.multiwave.com/support/rig...cilu_howto.htm

You could also call your local phone company and ask them to check your
line for noise. They often will not tell you anything is wrong because
your telephone company only needs to provide voice quality for local phone
lines. This works out to about a 9600k connection!

If it appears you have a problem with excessive noise on the lines you will
need to contact the local telephone company. Ask to open a trouble ticket,
or to speak to a data specialist directly. Here are some tips on what to
ask about.

1. Be ready to advise them that you have Line Noise and/or Low Line Level.
2. Explain to them you are using a modem (do not hide this) and tell
them normal voice communications is fine. If you do not tell them you
are using a modem they will run a "quick" test and say the line is fine.
3. Also ask the phone company to perform a trace from your home to our
equipment (trace the call from your home to our local access number).
4. Have them check the signal strength and quality through each Central
Office. It may take several attempts to correct the problem especially
when line noise is present.

--------------------------------------
F. Multiple A/D Conversions

A/D stands for analog to digital conversion. This refers to the action
taken on the phone signal by the local telephone company switch that routes
your call. When you place a call from your modem it is sent to the local telephone company which uses a series
of network switches to eventually get your call routed to our modems. Some
of these switches use older equipment which do not allow for a digital to
digital conversion of the phone signal through a particular switch. In
these situations an analog to digital conversion is the result. There's one
requirement that will prevent some people from using 56K. For 56K to work,
you can have at most one analog-to-digital conversion between your home or
office and the Internet service provider (ISP). If there's more than one,
you can't use 56K, and your connection will be limited to V.34 speeds (a
maximum of 33.6K). If you have a 3Com/USR 56k modem, there is a fairly
reliable method to determine if you have more than 1 A/D conversion, or
other serious impairment on your line. To find out how to do so go here:

http://808hi.com/56k/x2-adconversion.htm

--------------------------------------
G. How to find out for sure if your phone lines support 56K.

This is the only reliable way I know of to test your phone lines: borrow a
known good 56K modem and try it with your phone lines. By "known good 56K
modem," I mean a modem that has connected at speeds higher than 33.6 .

If it's an internal modem, have your friend bring the whole computer to
your house. In fact, it's easier that way, because their computer will
already be configured for the modem. Use your monitor, keyboard, and mouse
so they won't have to cart them over to your house.

If you can only borrow the modem, be sure to get the disks that came with
it so you can install the drivers for that modem. You'll have to install
the modem and drivers. Be sure to select the modem in your dialing software
(such as Windows 95 Dial-Up Networking or Apple's PPP for Open Transport).

Once their modem is at your house, call their ISP. How fast is the
connection? You can also try calling your ISP, if your ISP and your
friend's modem use the same 56K protocol (x2, K56flex, or V.90).

--------------------------------------
H. Resolutions

It may be your modem manufacturer just has not released drivers or firmware
that will allow a 56k connection. We have seen a number of cases where
customers dialing from the same location, same line get 56K speeds when
using 3Com/USR modems but not Rockwell or Lucent modems. As mentioned
above, some of the more recent updates from these vendors have made great
improvements but not all modem manufacturers have been quick to release
drivers based on the latest updates.

Other situations may exist where Dial-Up Networking connections to one
provider can be made at 56K but not to another. This is entirely possible
and in some case may have no resolution. The phone company routes calls
through different switches when you are calling different numbers. It may
be that when calling your call is routed through an additional
A/D conversion as described above as opposed to when you call your other ISP.

We hope this has given you a few things to try and consider regarding your
connection.

--------------------------------------

Article Last Update - 9/01/99